“The Windy City,” “The City of Big Shoulders,” and even “Second City” have long been nicknames ascribed to one of the nation’s premier, but often overlooked, metropolises: Chicago. The capital of the Midwest has served as home for any number of immigrant groups over the course of the twentieth century – Poles, Czechs, and Irish to name just three – and the incorporation of these groups into Chicago’s built environment and political culture has shaped the city in countless ways. However, over the last 75 years, few communities have influenced the city as have its Mexican and Mexican American residents. Today, the city’s demographics break very roughly into thirds – one third white, one third Black, and one third Latino, predominantly Mexican/Mexican American, yet Chicago Latinos remain understudied in their impact on the city’s fortunes and politics.
With this in mind, join us on June 26 at noon for a discussion of Making Mexican Chicago with Georgetown University history professor and author Mike Amezcua, Manuscript Division historian Ryan Reft, and Manuscript Division reference librarian Loretta Deaver. Amezcua will explore the role Mexican Chicagoans, notably moderates and conservatives within the community, played in housing, politics, community development and urban culture while also highlighting their contributions to the larger conservative movement.
The event took place online only on Monday, June 26, 2023, 12:00pm-1:00pm EDT. Watch the program here:
Please request ADA accommodations at least five business days in advance by contacting (202) 707-6362 or [email protected].
Made at the Library is an event series highlighting works inspired by and emerging from research at the Library of Congress. Featuring authors, artists and other creators in conversation with Library experts, this series takes a deep dive into the process of working with the Library’s collections.
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